Abu Dhabi Open 2023: Belinda Bencic vs Marta Kostyuk preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (2) Belinda Bencic vs Marta Kostyuk.
Date: February 8, 2023.
Tournament: Abu Dhabi Open 2023.
Round: Second Round (Round of 16).
Venue: Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, Abu Dhabi.
Category: WTA 500.
Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt.
Prize money: $780,637.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Belinda Bencic vs Marta Kostyuk preview
Second seed Belinda Bencic will kickstart her Abu Dhabi Open campaign against World No. 57 Marta Kostyuk on Wednesday.
Since losing her second match of the season to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the United Cup, Bencic has staged a superb turnaround. She went on to build a seven-match winning streak which was ended by eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open.
The sizzling run included Bencic's seventh career title triumph at the Adelaide International 2. With victories over quality opponents such as Garbine Muguruza, Caroline Garcia and Daria Kasatkina, she returned to the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time since October 2021.
Although Sabalenka put paid to her hopes of lifting her first Slam title, Bencic will be eager to continue the good work as she begins her Middle Eastern sojourn.
Marta Kostyuk, a 20-year-old from Ukraine, finally seems to be doing justice to her early promise. She made a commendable start to the season, reaching the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International 1 from the qualifying rounds. On the way to the last eight, she beat 2023 Australian Open runner-up Elena Rybakina.
Although she failed to win a match at the Adelaide International 2 the following week, the World No. 57 made it to the third round of the Australian Open. Kostyuk then made her second quarterfinal of the season at Hua Hin last week before falling to Bianca Andreescu.
The youngster collected her ninth win of the year in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Open on Monday with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 victory over Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea.
Belinda Bencic vs Marta Kostyuk head-to-head
Bencic leads 1-0 in her head-to-head with Kostyuk. The Swiss annihilated Kostyuk 6-3, 6-1 in their only meeting so far in Miami in 2022.
Belinda Bencic vs Marta Kostyuk odds
(Odds will be updated once they are available)
Belinda Bencic vs Marta Kostyuk prediction
Kostyuk leads Bencic in terms of the number of wins recorded this season, but the Swiss has the experience of beating the Ukrainian which should work in her favor.
Additionally, Bencic has made a solid start to the season and should be hungry for more success. She takes the ball early and hits relatively flat off both wings. Her ability to vary the pace and spin of groundstrokes should aid her in disrupting Kostyuk's rhythm.
The Ukrainian has a power-packed game, but could blow hot and cold under pressure, something that has cost her a few matches in the past. If Bencic's tactical approach and smart ball placement get on her nerves, the second seed might be having an easier outing than expected.
Pick: Belinda Bencic to win in straight sets.